Latest news with #Mpofu

'We would have no country left if Zuma, MKP didn't fighT'

The Citizen

30-07-2025

Politics
The Citizen

'We would have no country left if Zuma, MKP didn't fighT'

An intense battle is playing out in the Apex Court. The Constitutional Court has heard that there would be 'no country left' if former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party (MKP)did not fight the Madlanga inquiry into KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration into the South African justice system. An intense battle is playing out in the Apex Court, with Zuma challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appoint Wits law Professor Feroz Cachalia as acting police minister. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga were not part of the bench hearing the matter on Wednesday. Concerns Dali Mpofu, representing Zuma, argued that the leave of absence granted to Mchunu is central to the MK party's case because if it had not been granted, there would be no need to appoint Cachalia in an acting position. According to the MK party, Mkhwanazi's accusations 'raise urgent and serious concerns around the constitution, the rule of law and national security'. While Ramaphosa said he had placed Mchunu on special leave to allow the Madlanga Commission to properly investigate the claims, Mpofu said questions need to be raised about whether 'another multibillion rand commission' was 'in the best interests of our people'. 'Is it in the best interests of the people to have two police ministers?… With one sitting at home while the other serves in an acting position,' Mpofu asked. ALSO READ: Zuma says Ramaphosa has no constitutional power to suspend Mchunu Why not the High Court? Justice Leana Theron asked Mpofu to explain why Zuma and the MK party could not have brought their challenge in the high court and asked him to specifically refer her to where they address this in their court papers. According to Mpofu, the case deals with 'crisp' constitutional issues that would inevitably result in the apex court dealing with this matter anyway. Mpofu argued that if the Zuma and the MK party had taken the time required to go through the court system with the application, 'we would have no country left'. [WATCH] Advocate Dali Mpofu has criticised the President's decision to establish another commission of inquiry, arguing that it's not in the public's best interest. — SABC News (@SABCNews) July 30, 2025 Implications Ramaphosa, in his heads of argument, said the urgent application initiated by Zuma directly to the Constitutional Court without approaching lower courts will have 'far-reaching and punishing consequences' for the apex court. 'Despite this, the Court has been asked by the applicants to convene itself on hyper urgent timelines, and to determine alone, and finally, the meaning of constitutional provisions that will have far-reaching consequences for the exercise of power by the president well into the future'. Madlanga Commission Mpofu also criticised Ramaphosa's decision to establish another commission of inquiry, arguing that it's not in the public's best interest. 'Is it in the best interest of our people that we have yet another multibillion commission which may or may not yield any outcomes, so that, as I will demonstrate, you know, the community and the public can be sanitised and numbed into forgetting by the time the commission report comes in three, four years time, everyone would have forgotten what the issues are. 'Is that in the best interest of our people? Is it in the best interest of our people to have two ministers holding effectively the same portfolio being paid over the next three, four years, two salaries, one sitting at home doing nothing, the other one acting in his place cannot ever be in the best interest of our people.' Mpofu argued. Mchunu suspension In the head of arguments filed at the Constitutional Court, Ramaphosa defended his decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Cachalia, saying it is to protect the integrity of law enforcement agencies and to safeguard public trust. He justified the additional expenditure in appointing Cachalia as necessary to maintain the legitimacy and integrity of the criminal justice system during the investigation into the serious allegations against Mchunu. During proceedings, Mpofu argued that the 'problem' with Ramaphosa is that he is trying to have his 'cake and eat it' in that he wants to appoint Cachalia as an acting minister while simultaneously 'saving his ally' Mchunu and allowing him to continue receiving a salary and benefits. ALSO READ: Here's why Zuma's MK party wants Ramaphosa removed in 'urgent' motion of no confidence No ally Mpofu said Ramaphosa cannot do both, and if he wants Cachalia, he must fire Mchunu. However, Ramaphosa in his papers denied in the 'strongest terms' that his decision to place Mchunu on special leave rather than dismissing him amounted to special treatment of an ally. 'This allegation is based on pure speculation and conjecture. I deny it in the strongest terms. I have dealt with Minister Mchunu in accordance with my constitutional powers, having exercised my judgment regarding the appropriate course of action to adopt in the particular circumstances of this case. 'Far from revealing bias on my part, the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the allegations reveals the seriousness with which I take the allegations against Minister Mchunu,' Ramaphosa said. Cachalia Justice Zukisa Tshiqi questioned Mpofu about his argument that Ramaphosa's appointment of Cachalia as an acting minister is unconstitutional. She pointed out that Ramaphosa has the power to appoint ministers outside the National Assembly, which he accepts. Tshiqi asked Mpofu whether, once Cachalia is appointed, 'he then becomes part of the Cabinet' and is therefore legally appointed. Mpofu agreed that Ramaphosa had the power to appoint Cachalia as the police minister. 'What he did not have the power to do was appoint him to an acting position'. [WATCH] [WATCH] Representing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party at the Constitutional Court, Anton Katz argues that Chapter 5 of the Constitution grants no power to suspend, only to appoint or dismiss with nothing in between. — SABC News (@SABCNews) July 30, 2025 No power Representing the MK party at the Constitutional Court, Anton Katz argued that Chapter 5 of the constitution grants no power to suspend, only to appoint or dismiss, with nothing in between. Katz is adamant that there is no power for the president to suspend ministers in the constitution, nor can an acting minister be appointed. 'There is no power to suspend, it's a point of dismissal, nothing in between. There is no such thing as an acting minister; these ideas are an enigma to the notion of what a minister does in the South African context under Chapter Five of the constitution.' Chapter 5 of the constitution deals with the president and the National Executive. It outlines the roles, powers, and responsibilities of the president and the Cabinet. The MK party wants the court to decide urgently on the matter because Cachalia will assume office on 1 August. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa appoints Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister

OR Tambo Airport undergoes major upgrades to improve safety and cleanliness

The Citizen

30-06-2025

The Citizen

OR Tambo Airport undergoes major upgrades to improve safety and cleanliness

OR Tambo Airport undergoes major upgrades to improve safety and cleanliness Passengers, employees and visitors at OR Tambo International Airport can expect a cleaner, safer, and more modern environment as Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) rolls out a large-scale hygiene and infrastructure upgrade. While the experience for travellers may become slightly more uncomfortable in the short term, ACSA says the disruption is a necessary part of restoring dignity, safety and confidence at South Africa's busiest airport. Speaking during a maintenance briefing on June 19, ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu said the initiative is about more than fixing toilets or pipes, it's about changing the overall perception of OR Tambo. ALSO READ: OR Tambo erupts in celebration as athletes return with medals from China 'We're sharing these maintenance plans because we want to reverse the narrative that OR Tambo is in a state of crisis,' Mpofu explained. 'We are working hard to restore confidence. While the maintenance work may cause disruptions, this is about giving passengers the best experience possible. It's about dignity, confidence, and doing things properly.' Top priorities in the project include addressing long-standing issues such as unpleasant odours caused by sewerage problems in the terminal basements, broken fire escape doors that have allowed vagrants and vandals to gain access, and unhygienic toilets in urgent need of refurbishment. In response, ACSA has already ramped up cleaning schedules, installed odour-control systems, repaired key infrastructure, and deployed more security personnel in affected areas. And that's just the beginning. ALSO READ: Cyclists get huge welcome at OR Tambo for Cape Town feat Restroom facilities at OR Tambo are undergoing a full upgrade, with new baby-changing rooms, disability access features, and modern fittings being installed. Passengers will also be able to scan QR codes in the restrooms to report problems immediately. Behind the scenes, airport staff are receiving ongoing professional training to ensure hygiene and safety standards align with international best practices. Mpofu cautioned travellers to expect construction sites, barriers and closed escalators throughout the airport in the coming years. 'We know passengers won't always be happy about the inconvenience, but these changes are necessary if we want to deliver the kind of airport experience that South Africans deserve,' she said. With ACSA reporting over R1 billion in profit by the second quarter of 2025, the company is confident it can fund the improvements and transform OR Tambo into a world-class gateway and symbol of national pride. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Dali Mpofu saga highlights need to reform the failing Legal Practice Council

Daily Maverick

04-05-2025

Politics
Daily Maverick

Dali Mpofu saga highlights need to reform the failing Legal Practice Council

In her book I Will Not Be Silenced, journalist Karyn Maughan sets out in detail how, in her view, the Legal Practice Council (LPC) has done its best to ensure that advocate Dali Mpofu SC does not face accountability. One of the cases that Maughan focused on concerned Mpofu's conduct while appearing for the now impeached Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Apart from a deeply personal attack on Professor Thuli Madonsela which, on any conceivable basis could not be explained away as a legitimate attempt to discredit a witness, Mpofu threatened the chair of the inquiry, Qubudile Dyantyi, by saying, 'you'll pay one day'; presumably for the manner in which he chaired the inquiry. Asked by Dyantyi whether he was being threatened, Mpofu answered in the affirmative and went on to say: 'It is not a threat … it's a promise.' This outburst did prompt action from the LPC; in particular, a query as to whether Dyantyi was prepared to lodge a complaint. As Maughan noted, Dyantyi responded by pointing out that the entire exchange was readily available on video footage accessible on YouTube. In short, the exchange did not require a witness as the evidence upon which the LPC could determine whether Mpofu had acted in breach of the LPC's code of conduct was manifestly available. Significantly, the Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) investigated the incident based on the video evidence and representations made by Mpofu. It found that Mpofu had breached the relevant code of conduct, but before sanctions could be imposed, Mpofu resigned from the JSA, rendering the JSA powerless to proceed. Mpofu's long history of alleged misbehaviour surely requires investigation on the principle that all legal practitioners are accountable for their professional conduct. For this reason, when complaints were lodged before the LPC and it was announced that there would be a hearing on 30 April, there was a hope that finally the LPC would apply its mind to these complaints and bring much-needed finality to this long-running issue. The LPC cannot be blamed for the power outage that bedevilled the commencement of proceedings. But then charges were dropped, others were amended, and the entire proceedings were postponed indefinitely. According to reports, two of the charges dropped related to Mpofu's conduct against Madonsela and a remark made at a Judicial Service Commission hearing involving Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. It was claimed that, as both Madonsela and the Chief Justice did not wish to be involved in these proceedings, the charges had to be dropped. However, neither of these distinguished jurists had been complainants and understandably did not wish to be involved in what doubtless Mpofu intended to be a long, drawn-out forensic battle. In short, they were not needed for the charges to be tested — all the relevant facts are captured on video. Here is the first count of the LPC's inexplicable conduct on this issue. There is more. Section 38(4) of the LPC Act provides that the proceedings are open to the public unless the chair, on good cause, shows rules to the contrary upon an application to that effect by an interested party. In this case, there does not appear to have been a ruling. Hence, the question arises as to why the news media were not automatically allowed to attend from the commencement, nor why one of the complainants, the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac), was not consulted about the withdrawal of certain of the complaints against Mpofu. And since the hearing is supposed to be in public and Casac is a complainant, there is surely no basis to postpone a hearing to determine their presence. It appears that without a ruling from the chair on good cause shown and after an application, both Casac and the news media were excluded from the proceedings that did take place. The LPC Act provides that when an advocate is the subject of a complaint, the constituted disciplinary panel must be chaired by an advocate. Surely it behoved the LPC to appoint a senior counsel of long standing to chair this hearing, as Mpofu is a senior counsel of long standing. Yet again, there was a failure to do the obvious. Lamentable failure That the LPC as an institution has been a lamentable failure that is not up to the task of enhancing an independent, accountable legal profession has been obvious and not only because of the Mpofu saga. Last year, for example, the Legal Services Ombud castigated the LPC for failing to act in the public interest and (thus) contributing to injustice. The very institution needs to be transformed. But that is not the only lesson to be drawn here. Mpofu is reported to have defended himself by claiming that the complaints against him were part of a long-running campaign to harass and discredit progressive lawyers. He cited the cases of Bram Fischer and Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, the latter two murdered by the apartheid regime. In their three cases, these heroic legal figures fought against a racist regime determined to silence them by any brutal means at its disposal. Where is the legitimate comparison? Now Mpofu is entitled and by brief obliged to represent his clients, the MK party, Jacob Zuma and Mkhwebane, as vigorously as is permitted by the Code of Conduct and if he considers this to be progressive lawyering, well, that is his and his supporters' opinion. But where is the connection between this claim of progressive lawyering and insulting a witness over her physical appearance, or threatening the chair of a parliamentary inquiry, or the claim of materially misleading the court as documented in a judgment of judges Selby Baqwa, Lebogang Modiba and Ismail Mahomed in one of the many cases in which Mpofu appeared on behalf of Zuma? Now, if the video evidence is but fake news, doubtless Mpofu would have told us. Absent this, the video evidence and the judgment stand to be explained by him. The outcome of these complaints is to be determined by a body that is enjoined to assert the principle of accountability. That the LPC does not appear up to the task is one issue to be debated. The other is to ask whether the principle of accountability of the legal profession only applies to some practitioners and not others. Are we in the process of following Donald Trump's United States, in which identity rather than legal principle is now our legal basis? DM

Top 10 stories of the day: Budget 3.0 date confirmed

The Citizen

30-04-2025

Business
The Citizen

‘They should be embarrassed': Mpofu slams charges as disciplinary hearing postponed

Mpofu described the LPC's inquiry as "a mighty waste of our time". Advocate Dali Mpofu at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 20 March 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Darren Stewart Advocate Dali Mpofu has dismissed the misconduct charges against him as 'nonsensical' following the postponement of his disciplinary inquiry before the Legal Practice Council (LPC). The legal practitioner was scheduled to appear on Wednesday before an independent disciplinary committee at the LPC's offices in Pretoria. Dali Mpofu's charges Mpofu faced seven charges of misconduct, including matters involving former public protector Thuli Madonsela and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The charge related to Maya stemmed from comments Mpofu made about her during a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interview process for the position of chief justice in February 2022. At the time, Mpofu stated that he had spent nights with Maya during their time in law school. ALSO READ: Mpofu's 'day has come' to face disciplinary committee for misconduct The remark was criticised as inappropriate and potentially defamatory due to its perceived sexual innuendo. Additional charges included Mpofu's alleged threats against Qubudile Dyantyi, who chaired the Section 194 impeachment inquiry into former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. The charge involving Madonsela related to Mpofu's cross-examination of the former public protector at the same inquiry, during which he sought to 'discredit' her by questioning her status as an admitted advocate. LPC amends charge sheet Wednesday's inquiry was, however, disrupted by a power outage. The chairperson of the disciplinary process, Daniel Mpanza, announced that the LPC had revised its charge sheet. 'There are only four charges against Advocate Mpofu,' Mpanza confirmed during a media briefing. He explained that Mpofu would still have the opportunity to respond to the remaining charges. Two charges relating to Madonsela and one involving Maya had been withdrawn. READ MORE: Legal Practice Council denies having vendetta against Mpofu Mpanza indicated that the complainants had expressed unwillingness to proceed with the matter. 'The chief justice didn't want to proceed. It affects her and all those things. It's personal,' the chairperson said. He further stated that the hearing has been postponed and a new date will be communicated in due course. 'The LPC will inform us of the date upon which we have to appear again.' Mpofu responds to 'laughable charges' Speaking to the media after the postponement, Mpofu described the inquiry as 'a mighty waste of our time'. 'Whenever they want to waste our time again, we will be here. We will be available,' he told SABC. The lawyer also criticised the charges against him. 'This whole thing is a witch hunt which is politically motivated. 'I mean, some of these charges, as I said, are very laughable, to say the least, and those laughable charges have been dropped to prove that they were indeed laughable. 'Even the remaining ones, I think, are just nonsensical, equally so it's a question of time. The climb down by the LPC in withdrawing these charges was something to be expected,' Mpofu said. READ MORE: Dali Mpofu rejects claims EFF should dissolve and merge with MK He continued: 'They are ridiculous, ludicrous, senseless and laughable. That's why they've been dropped because there's nothing to them. You can't, for example, say a lawyer is charged for discrediting a witness. 'That's what lawyers do. A first-year law student will tell you that that's what you are trained to do.' Mpofu further slammed the LPC for pursuing charges without apparent consultation with Maya and Madonsela. 'How did they do the charges without talking to them?' he asked, suggesting the council 'should be embarrassed' by the turn of events.

Latest news with #Mpofu

'We would have no country left if Zuma, MKP didn't fighT'

OR Tambo Airport undergoes major upgrades to improve safety and cleanliness

Dali Mpofu saga highlights need to reform the failing Legal Practice Council

Top 10 stories of the day: Budget 3.0 date confirmed

‘They should be embarrassed': Mpofu slams charges as disciplinary hearing postponed

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